Former South Africa Rugby Springboks international Zane Kirchner has joined the Uganda Rugby Cranes coaching setup.
Kirchner, who held his first session with the players on Saturday morning, takes on the role of assistant (backs & kicking) consultant.
He will provide hands-on support to the squad as they prepare for a tour to Namibia and South Africa ahead of the upcoming 2025 men’s Rugby Africa Cup in July.
“Everybody brings a bit of their own flavour. For me, obviously, it’s another way of just serving the game which I love and add where I’m needed,” Kirchner said to NBS Sport on Monday morning.
“A couple of technical areas from the backfield, kicking perspective, general systematical skills adjustments and wherever I’m needed within the setup.
“I am looking forward to the next two months of preparing a solid system where the guys can express themselves.”
The full coaching setup Kirchner joins has Fred Mudoola as head coach and high-performance consultant Nollis Marais, plus Marvin Odongo (forwards), Leonard Lubambula (backs) and Timothy Mudoola (strength & conditioning).
Uganda will play a test match against Namibia on June 14 and thereafter connect to South Africa for a fourteen-day training camp. During the camp, Uganda will play trial matches against Limpopo Bulls (June 21) and Pumas (June 27).
About Zane Kirchner
Zane Kirchner, born June 16, 1984 in Western Cape, had a high-flying rugby playing career. He is a Rugby World Cup (2015) bronze medal winner with South Africa rugby’s Springboks. He played thirty-one tests from 2009-2015.
His club career spanned fifteen years. He played for Griquas and Blue Bulls in South Africa before going overseas in Europe to Leinster, Dragons and Bristol Bears. He won one Currie Cup and two Super Rugby titles.
Kirchner’s coaching experience is not as stacked as his playing career. His major appointment was as South Western Districts Eagles head coach in 2024. Eagles play in the Currie Cup first division.
